Fly-tippers will face five years’ jail time and have their cars destroyed as part of Government crackdown

Fly-tippers will have their cars seized and crushed as part of the Government’s plans to clean up the country.

Councils will be working with police to identify the vehicles of those illegally dumping waste and destroy them, after the crime has skyrocketed by a fifth since 2018/19.

Authorities hope that by using drones and CCTV to find and get rid of the cars, it will reduce the amount of rubbish on the country’s lanes, streets and rural areas.

As of right now, councils that want to crush vehicles have to take on the cost themselves, but under the new plans, fly-tippers will cover it, saving taxpayers’ money.

South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy said: “Having been born and bred in the area, I want to make this area one of the best places to grow up and grow old in, but fly-tipping is a major problem and scourge across the region, and it has been ignored for too long by the last Government.

“The new Labour Government is tackling this head-on. Residents around here are sick of our streets being plagued by discarded rubbish and waste, and it is a disgrace that the Conservatives have done nothing to tackle it.

“It’s gone unpunished for far too long.”

Under the new legislation, anybody caught transporting and dealing with waste illegally will face up to five years in prison.

“I fully support the Government’s fly-tipping crackdown that will punish environmental vandals who disrespect our beautiful area,” Jermy added.

The Environment Agency will also carry out identity and criminal record checks on waste disposal businesses, so there is nowhere to hide for rogue firms, and it will be handed more resources to police the industry through permits.

Licences will also be able to be revoked, and fines and enforcement notices can be issued.

The measures come as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, and are said to help deliver its key mission of having safer streets for the public and restoring communities’ faith in efforts to combat anti-social behaviour.

Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “Waste criminals and fly-tippers who blight our towns and villages have gone unpunished for too long - that ends today.

“The Government is calling time on fly-tipping. I will not stand by while this avalanche of rubbish buries our communities.”